When Ji Yung walks in through the door, he is like a breath of fresh air, bringing with him mint and cinammon, and all she wants to do is inhale of all that he has to offer. He wears a hat, flopped rakishly on his head, and his smile brings back memories of kindergarten, and the boy she once had a crush on. She wants to slap the expression of his face and tell him that sometimes not everyone has something to live for, but he grabs her hand, and touches the words out of her mouth.

 

Days later, when Ga Eul remembers that night at his house, talking about Jan Di, she won't focus on the pottery displays planted artistically, or the clean kitchen countertop, but the way his fingers had felt against hers, and how two strands of hair had refused to stay put.

 

Chun Sik will yell at her to get to work, and she will still have Ji Yung's soulful black eyes impressed upon the back of her eyelids.

 

It will be years before she learns to let him go.

 

And only then on their wedding day.

 

For now though, Ga Eul can only shake her head in frustration, and try and like the boys in her school just a little bit more. Her mom has always told her not to aim to high, and she isn't about to break that golden rule.